Cigarette machine and method of manufacturing cigarettes

ABSTRACT

A cigarette machine and a method of manufacturing cigarettes suitable for home use, comprises the use of a pipe having an inlet for the passage of shredded tobacco from a bin to an outlet end of the pipe. A ram is disposed for reciprocation in the pipe to pump the tobacco from the inlet to the outlet end. A larger pipe surrounds the outlet end of the first pipe and overlaps it, forming with it an annular space for receiving an elongated strip of cigarette paper curled transversely in the shape of a tube. Means are provided for sealing the longitudinal ends of the paper tube in the space. The tube receives shredded tobacco as it is pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe and is moved forward by the deposit of successive amounts of tobacco in the tube. The resulting tobacco-filled tube emerges from the second pipe continuously and a portion of any length can be cut off, such as that corresponding to a regular, a king size, or a super king size cigarette.

United States Patent Asbill et al. 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] CIGARETTE MACHINEAND METHOD 3,033,211 5/1962 Godfrey ..l31/23 A X OF MANUFACTURINGCIGARETTES FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS [72] ggfigz gifig 'i g gf tf' j g' 885,485 12/1961 Great Britain 131/60 [73] Assignee: saidFrederic H. Heidelberg by said Primary Examiner-Samuel Koren Clarence M.Asbill Assistant Examiner-J. F. Pitrelli Filed. Feb 27 1970 Att0mey-JohnG. Mills, Ill

[21] Appl. No.: 15,037 ABSTRACT A cigarette machine and a method ofmanufacturing 52 us. c1. ..l3l/65, 131/66 A, 131/69, cigarettes Suilab1efor home use, comprises the use of a P t" 131/75 havmg an mlet for thepassage of shredded tobacco from a b1n [51 int. Cl. ..A24c 05/18, A24c05/24, A240 05/28 9 outlet 9 of the p p A ram is disposed for reciproca-[58] Field 01 Search ..13l/64 A, 66 A, 65, 69, 73, the P 1 the tobaccofrom the Inlet to the e en arger p1pe surroun s e on e en 0 e irs p1pe13 /75 4 1t dAl dth Ill Cl fill f! and overlaps it, forming with it anannular space for receiving 5 R f C-ted an elongated strip of cigarettepaper curled transversely in the I 6] e "em I shape of a tube. Means areprovided for sealing the longitu- UNITED STATES PATENTS dinal ends ofthe paper tube in the space. The tube receives shredded tobacco as it ispumped through the outlet end of the 2,351,410 6/1944 D1 [311]]!..l3l/84 A first pipe and is moved forward by the deposit of Successive3,170,467 2/1965 Glacomo et A UX/ amounts of tobacco in the tube. Theresulting tobacco-filled 3951789 1/1 889 Lumley "131/65 tube emergesfrom the second pipe continuously and a portion 1,703,089 2/1929 Alland..l3l/65 f any |ength can b cut ff, h a that corresponding to a lregular, a king size, or a super king size cigarette. 1 e

927,196 7/1909 21 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAR nan SHEET 1 OF4 INVENTORS CLARENCE M. ASBILL mm mm FREDERIG H. HEIDELBERG ATTORNEYPAIENTEDIMR 7 I972- 3,646,942

SHEEI 3 [1F 4 FIG. I0. I

2 INVENTORS 5s 49 CLARENCE M. ASBILL FREDERIC H. HEIDELBERG W W i\\\\\\ATTORNEY mtmfim 7:912 3.646.942

SHEET l- UF 4 FIG. l4.

INVENTORS CLARENCE M. ASBILL FREDERIC H. HEIDELBERG CIGARETTE MACHINEAND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CIGARETTES This invention relates tocigarettes and it is more particularly concerned with a device and amethod for manufacturing cigarettes.

An object of the invention is the provision of a device and method formanufacturing cigarettes in the home to overcome the high cost ofcommercial cigarettes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple devicewhich may be operated manually for economically manufacturingcigarettes.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device andmethod which is capable of manufacturing cigarettes of different lengthsfrom the simple raw materials of cigarette paper and tobacco.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such adevice which automatically controls the density of the tobacco in eachcigarette.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a cigarettemachine which manufactures cigarettes continuously rather thanintermittently and which automatically forms a continuous paper sheathto contain the shredded cigarette tobacco.

A further object is the provision of a device and method formanufacturing cigarettes which do not require the preliminary formationof a rope of tobacco.

In recent years, the annual consumption of cigarettes in the UnitedStates has, generally, increased numerically but the quantity of tobaccoused in producing these cigarettes has decreased. One reason for this isthe use of filters at the ends of cigarettes; another is the fact thatthe diameters of cigarettes have been made smaller. A further reason isthe fact that less desirable portions of the tobacco plant, such asstems, are processed for admixture with ordinary tobacco leaf materialAll these affect the amount of tobacco used in cigarettes to thedetriment of the tobacco farmer. This situation, coupled with the everincreasing retail prices of cigarettes, means that the consumer receivesan inferior quality of cigarette at a much higher price.

As a means for obviating this problem, the present invention enables aperson to manufacture continuously his own cigarettes from fresh qualitytobacco of his own choosing, in any of various lengths and of uniformdensity at a fraction of the price or commercial cigarettes. Prior typesof cigarette machines for home use require tedious and time consumingoperations, and moreover, it is not possible thereby to controldiscretely the density of the tobacco in the cigarettes. The presentinvention obviates these difficulties.

These and still further objects, advantages and features of theinvention will appear more fully from the following descriptionconsidered together with the accompanying drawing which illustrates anembodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the embodiment, partly broken away.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 with themechanism in retracted position.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the mechanism in protractedposition.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view ofa portion of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view along the line 8-8 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the line 99 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view along the line l010 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view along the line 12-12 of FIG. 5 on a largerscale.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fragmentary portion of a modifiedembodiment of the invention, partly broken away.

The method of this invention, generally, comprises continuously formingfrom a strip of cigarette paper a longitudinal tube of indefinitelength. Marginal areas of thetube, as it is formed, are progressivelysecured together by an adhesive. The tube as it is formed is filled withshredded cigarette tobacco under a selected pressure while the papertube is restrained radially against rupture.

The paper tube is released from radial restraint after it is filled withthe cigarette tobacco. Portions of the filled tube are then cut offcorresponding to the desired length of the cigarettes.

Referring with more particularity to the drawing in which like numeralsdesignate like parts, the embodiment illustrated comprises alongitudinal frame structure 21. At one end of the frame structure,there is mounted an outer pipe 22 and inner pipe 23 part way inside theouter pipe 22. The pipes 22 and 23 are secured by brackets 24 and 25 tothe frame structure.

The inner pipe 23 has an opening 26 on top for the passage of shreddedtobacco 27 from a bin 28 through a hopper 29 directly connected to theopening 26. A ram 30 is mounted for reciprocation in the inner pipe 23at the end of a hollow tube 31. The inner end 32 of the ram 30 passesthe opening 26 on each stroke. The outer end of the tube 31 is connectedto a bar 34 which is slidably mounted on a stationary guide 35 securedto the frame 21 and a bracket 33. By these means reciprocation of thebar 34 on the rod 35 causes shredded tobacco falling from the bin 28 topass through the hopper 29 and the opening 26 to enter the inner pipe 23and be advanced toward the outer end of the pipe 23 by the ram 30.Another guide rod 37 extends from the bracket 33 part way into thehollow tube 31.

A bobbin 38 of cigarette paper 38A is rotatably mounted on a shaft 39 ofa bracket 40. A longitudinal area of the roll of paper is coated with agummed surface 41-of a conventional dried adhesive which, whenmoistened, becomes tacky and adhesive.

The outer end of the paper 38A is threaded through a guide member 42which shapes the paper transversely in the general form of a channel.From this guide member 42 the paper then proceeds to enter the space 43between the inner pipe 23 and the outer pipe 22 exiting from the outerend of the outer pipe 22 as a complete tube. As the paper 38A entersspace 43 it is forced to its full cylindrical shape corresponding to thespace 43 with overlapping longitudinal area. Just prior to entering thespace 43, the gummed surface 41 is moistened by a wick 44 on a finger 45extending from a water basin 46 from which water 47 is drawn bycapillary action.

The wick is normally held out of contact with the paper by means of abracket 48 of spring material integral with the finger 45 secured to theframe 21 and biased outwardly. On actuation of the ram 30, a rack 49contacts a lever 50 and actuates a link 51, connected to the bracket 48,inwardly against the biasing action.

A semicylindrical shield 52 is secured to the inner pipe 23 between thebracket 48 and the path of the cigarette paper to prevent excess waterfrom dripping on the cigarette paper.

On the interior of the bin 28, there is rotatably mounted an agitator 53on a vertical shaft 54. The shaft extends through the bottom 55 of thebin and it is joumaled to the frame structure 21. It is provided with apinion gear 56. The gear 56 is meshed with the rack 49 connected to thebar 34, whereby as the ram 30 is reciprocated, the agitator 53 isoscillated concomitantly to keep the shredded tobacco in the bin movinginto the opening 26.

Adjacent the outer end of the outer pipe 22 a reciprocating cutter whichcomprises a bar 57 having slots 58 and 59 is slidably mounted on the endof the frame 21 by means of pins 60 and 61 passing through the slots 58and 59. A knife blade 62 having a diagonal cutting edge 63 facing theouter end of the pipe 22 is secured to the bar 57. A hand grip 64 isalso provided on the bar 57 to facilitate its manual movement.

When it is desired to sever a cigarette, the bar 57 is simply moved toengage the cutting edge 63 with the tobacco filled tube.

To measure the length of the cigarette to be cut off, a gauge is mountedon the pipe 22 and it comprises a ring 65 slidably mounted on the pipe.One end of a wire or rod 66 is secured to the ring 65 and the other endof the wire extends outwardly beyond the outlet end of the pipe 22.Gauge markings 67 are delineated on the outer surface of pipe 22adjacent the ring 65 and stops 68 and 69 are provided to limit themovement of the ring on the pipe. A portion 70 of the wire 66 is bentoutwardly to avoid contact with the knife blade 62 within the limits ofthe movement of the ring between the stops 68 and 69. The gauge issimply used by placing the ring at a desired position before a givenlength of cigarette is severed. When the end of the tobacco filled papertube emerges from the outer end of the pipe 23, flush with the outer endof the wire 66, the machine is stopped and the bar 57 is actuated tobring the cutting edge 63 across the path of the tobacco filled papertube at the end of the pipe 22.

The final density of the shredded tobacco in the paper tube will be afunction of the longitudinal displacement of the paper tube relative tothe quantity of tobacco pumped into the tube on each stroke of the ram.If the displacement is relatively large, the density will be less; ifthe displacement is relatively small, the density will be greater. Suchdisplacement is controlled by a brake applied to the paper. The paper38A is passed around a roller 71. A brake shoe in the form of a piece ofchamois 72 is positioned to apply frictional pressure against the paperon the roller 71. The chamois is normally spaced from the roller and itis secured to the upper end of a vertical resilient arm 73, the lowerend of which is secured to the frame 21. A vertical bracket 74 issecured to the frame 21 in front of the arm 73 and it is provided withan abutment screw 75 for contacting the arm and moving it against itsresilient action toward the roller 71. By these means, variable pressuremay be applied on the paper passing over the roller 71 which will affectits longitudinal displacement in relation to the quantity of shreddedtobacco pumped into the paper tube. Greater pressure will produce acigarette of greater tobacco density; less pressure will produce acigarette of less tobacco density.

To increase the range of possible densities, control of the densityshould be concentrated, as much as possible, at the brake shoe andfriction should be reduced at all other places. For this purpose, theinside and outside surfaces 76 and 77, of the inner pipe and the insidesurface 78 of the outer pipe 22 is coated with an antifriction material,such as Teflon.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14 is an alternative and preferredmeans of applying moisture to the dry adhesive area of the cigarettepaper. Instead of the resilient bracket 48, a vertical shaft 79 isrotatably mounted in a housing 80 secured by screws 81 or by other meansto the frame structure. To the upper end of the shaft 79 one end of anarm 82 is secured for rotation with the shaft. On the other end of thearm 82 a wick 83 is secured by clamps 84. The wick extends from areservoir (not shown) similar to that illustrated in FIG. 8.

A coil spring 85 is conventionally mounted about the shaft 79 in thehousing 80 to bias the rotation of the shaft clockwise as viewed in FIG.14.

Another arm 86 is secured to the shaft .79 below and parallel to the arm82 and its outer end is pivotally connected to the link 51.

By these means, the outer end of the wick 83 is swept into its operativeposition in a more positive manner under the lip formed by the foldinglongitudinal area of the cigarette paper just prior to its contact withthe opposite longitudinal area for sealing, thereby assuring contact ofthe wick with the adhesive area and proper adhesion with the oppositeside of the tube.

Alternatively, wet glue or paste may be applied directly to alongitudinal edge of untreated cigarette paper by conventional means toobtain a result similar to that described above with pregummed paper.

What is claimed:

1, A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means havingan inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to itsinterior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in saidpipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inletopening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipe beingcharacterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding andoverlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providingan annular space between the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding alongitudinal strip of cigarette paper in the form of a roll, means forrotatively mounting the roll, means for guiding the outer end of thestrip from the roll into said annular space so as to cause the paperstrip to curl transversely and assume the shape of a tube withoverlapping longitudinal marginal areas, means for braking the movementof the paper strip from the roll to the annular space, means for sealingsaid overlapping areas entering said space, whereby as shredded tobaccois pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confinedwithin the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube tomove a corresponding distance through the second pipe, and means forcutting off a length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing fromthe second pipe.

2. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 and a bin for holding aquantity of shredded tobacco, said bin having an outlet in directcommunication with the inlet opening of the first pipe.

3. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 2, an agitator in said bin,and means for moving said agitator concomitently with reciprocation ofthe ram.

4. A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means havingan inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to itsinterior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in saidpipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inletopening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipe beingcharacterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding andoverlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providingan annular space between the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding alongitudinal strip of cigarette paper in the form of a roll, means forrotatably mounting the roll, a guide means in the form of a member overwhich the strip passes for guiding the outer end of the strip from theroll to the annular space so as to cause the paper strip to curltransversely and assume the shape of a tube with overlappinglongitudinal marginal areas, a brake shoe disposed for adjustablypressing the strip against member, means for sealing said overlappingareas entering said space, whereby as shredded tobacco is pumped throughthe outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confined within the saidtube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube to move acorresponding distance through the second pipe, and means for cuttingoff a length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing from thesecond pipe.

5. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 4 in which the member is aroller.

6. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 in which one longitudinalmarginal area of the cigarette paper is gummed with a dried adhesive tocontact a corresponding marginal area of the cigarette paper and meansfor moistening the gummed area before it contacts the said correspondingmarginal area.

7. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 6 in which the means formoistening the gummed area comprises a finger, a wick carried by saidfinger, a water reservoir, and said wick extending into the reservoir.

8. A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means havingan inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to itsinterior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in saidpipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inletopening out through one end of the pipe, said end ofthe pipe beingcharac terized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surroundingand overlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, therebyproviding an annular space between the pipes, means for intermittinglyfeeding a longitudinal strip of cigarette paper into said annular spaceso as to cause the paper strip to curl transversely and assume the shapeof a tube with overlapping longitudinal marginal areas, one longitudinalmarginal area of the cigarette paper being gummed with a dried adhesiveto contact a corresponding marginal area of the cigarette paper, meansfor moistening the gummed area including a finger, a water reservoir, awick carried by said finger and extending into said reservoir, the wickcarrying finger being movable in and out of contact with the gummedmarginal area, means for moving the wick carrying finger to contact thegummed area on each pump stroke of the ram whereby as shredded tobaccois pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confinedwithin the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube tomove a corresponding distance through the second pipe, and means forcutting off a length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing fromthe second pipe.

9. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 8 in which the means formoving the wick carrying finger comprises a spring for biasing thefinger out of contact with the gummed marginal area, and means movablewith the ram for actuating said finger toward the gummed area againstthe biasing action of the spring.

10. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 9 in which the means formoving the wick carrying finger comprises an arm connected to thefinger, a lever connected to the finger, the biasing action of thespring being effected through said lever and arm, a push rod connectedto the ram for actuating the lever on each stroke of the arm against theaction of the spring.

ll. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 9 in which the wick carryingfinger is mounted for reciprocation relative to the gummed area.

12. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 9 in which the wick carryingfinger is rotatably mounted to contact the gummed area.

13. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 in which the surfaces ofcontact of the first and second pipes are coated with Teflon to minimizefriction.

14. The method of manufacturing cigarettes comprising continuouslyshaping a strip of cigarette paper taken from a roll into a longitudinaltube of indefinite length, progressively securing the longitudinalmarginal areas of the tube adhesively, filling the tube with shreddedcigarette tobacco under selected pressure while restraining the papertube radially against rupture and longitudinally restraining with anadjustable means the paper tube to control the compactness of thetobacco within the tube, releasing the paper tube from the radialrestraint after it is filled with the cigarette tobacco and then cuttingoff portions of the filled tube corresponding to cal! the desired lengthof cigarettes.

15. The method as defined by claim 14 in which the pressure with whichthe tube is filled with shredded cigarette tobacco is intermittent andaxial.

16. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 and a gauge for measuringthe length of a cigarette to be cut from the tobacco filled tube.

17. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 in which the cutting offmeans comprises a member having a cutting edge mounted for movementacross the path of the tube.

18. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 in which the cutting edgeis diagonally disposed relative to the axis of the tube and is mountedfor reciprocation across the path of the tube.

19. A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe meanshaving an inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobaccoto its interior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation insaid pipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through saidinlet opening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipebeing characterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxiallysurrounding and overlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation,thereby providing an annular space between the pipes, means forintermittingly feeding a longitudinal strip of cigarette paper into saidannular space so as to cause the paper strip to curl transver sely andassume the shape of a tube with overlapping longitudinal marginal areas,means for sealing said overlapping areas entering said space, whereby asshredded tobacco is pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe itbecomes confined within the said tube and frictionally engages it tocause the tube to move a corresponding distance through the second pipe,gauge means for measuring the length of a cigarette to be cut from thetobacco filled tube, said gauge means including a member slidablelongitudinally on the second pipe, a wire or rod secured to the slidablemember, said wire or rod extending outwardly beyond the outer end of thesecond pipe, and means for cutting off the length of the resultingtobacco filled tube passing from the second pipe.

20. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 19 in which a portion of thewire or rod is radially offset adjacent the outer end of the secondpipe.

21. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 19 and index markings on thesecond pipe adjacent the slidable member to gauge the length of the rodor wire extending beyond the end of the second pipe.

1. A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means havingan inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to itsinterior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in saidpipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inletopening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipe beingcharacterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding andoverlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providingan annular space between the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding alongitudinal strip of cigarette paper in the form of a roll, means forrotatively mounting the roll, means for guiding the outer end of thestrip from the roll into said annular space so as to cause the paperstrip to curl transversely and assume the shape of a tube withoverlapping longitudinal marginal areas, means for braking the movementof the paper strip from the roll to the annular space, means for sealingsaid overlapping areas entering said space, whereby as shredded tobaccois pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confinedwithin the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube tomove a corresponding distance through the second pipe, and means forcutting off a length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing fromthe second pipe.
 2. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 and a binfor holding a quantity of shredded tobacco, said bin having an outlet indirect communication with the inlet opening of the first pipe.
 3. Acigarette machine as defined by claim 2, an agitator in said bin, andmeans for moving said agitator concomitently with reciprocation of theram.
 4. A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe meanshaving an inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobaccoto its interior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation insaid pipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through saidinlet opening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipebeing characterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxiallysurrounding and overlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation,thereby providing an annular space between the pipes, means forintermittingly feeding a longitudinal strip of cigarette paper in theform of a roll, means for rotatably mounting the roll, a guide means inthe form of a member over which the strip passes for guiding the outerend of the strip from the roll to the annular space so as to cause thepaper strip to curl transversely and assume the shape of a tube withoverlapping longitudinal marginal areas, a brake shoe disposed foradjustably pressing the strip against member, means for sealing saidoverlapping areas entering said space, whereby as shredded tobacco ispumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confinedwithin the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube tomove a corresponding distance through the second pipe, and means forcutting off a length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing fromthe second pipe.
 5. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 4 in whichthe member is a roller.
 6. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 inwhich one longitudinal marginal area of the cigarette paper is gummedwith a dried adhesive to contact a corresponding marginal area of thecigarette paper and means for moistening the gummed area before itcontacts the said corresponding marginal area.
 7. A cigarette machine asdefined by claim 6 in which the means for moistening the gummed areacomprises a finger, a wick carried by said finger, a water reservoir,and said wick extending into the reservoir.
 8. A cigarette machinecomprising a first longitudinal pipe means having an inlet openingbetween its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to its interior from itsexterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in said pipe for pumpingshredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inlet opening outthrough one end of the pipe, said end of the pipe being characterized asthe outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding and overlapping saidoutlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providing an annular spacebetween the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding a longitudinal stripof cigarette paper into said annular space so as to cause the paperstrip to curl transversely and assume the shape of a tube withoverlapping longitudinal marginal areas, one longitudinal marginal areaof the cigarette paper being gummed with a dried adhesive to contact acorresponding marginal area of the cigarette paper, means for moisteningthe gummed area including a finger, a water reservoir, a wick carried bysaid finger and extending into said reservoir, the wick carrying fingerbeing movable in and out of contact with the gummed marginal area, meansfor moving the wick carrying finger to contact the gummed area on eachpump stroke of the ram whereby as shredded tobacco is pumped through theoutlet end of the first pipe it becomes confined within the said tubeand frictionally engages it to cause the tube to move a correspondingdistance through the second pipe, and means for cutting off a length ofthe resulting tobacco filled tube passing from the second pipe.
 9. Acigarette machine as defined by claim 8 in which the means for movingthe wick carrying finger comprises a spring for biasing the finger outof contact with the gummed marginal area, and means movable with the ramfor actuating said finger toward the gummed area against the biasingaction of the spring.
 10. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 9 inwhich the means for moving the wick carrying finger comprises an armconnected to the finger, a lever connected to the finger, the biasingaction of the spring being effected through said lever and arm, a pushrod connected to the ram for actuating the lever on each stroke of thearm against the action of the spring.
 11. A cigarette machine as definedby claim 9 in which the wick carrying finger is mounted forreciprocation relative to the gummed area.
 12. A cigarette machine asdefined by claim 9 in which the wick carrying finger is rotatablymounted to contact the gummed area.
 13. A cigarette machine as definedby claim 1 in which the surfaces of contact of the first and secondpipes are coated with Teflon to minimize friction.
 14. The method ofmanufacturing cigarettes comprising continuously shaping a strip ofcigarette paper taken from a roll into a longitudinal tube of indefinitelength, progressively securing the longitudinal marginal areas of thetube adhesively, filling the tube with shredded cigarette tobacco underselected pressure while restraining the paper tube radially againstrupture and longitudinally restraining with an adjustable means thepaper tube to control the compactness of the tobacco within the tube,releasing the paper tube from the radial restraint after it is filledwith the cigarette tobacco and then cutting off portions of the filledtube corresponding to the desired length of cigarettes.
 15. The methodas defined by claim 14 in which the pressure with which the tube isfilled with shredded cigarette tobacco is intermittent and axial.
 16. Acigarette machine as defined by claim 1 and a gauge for measuring thelength of a cigarette to be cut from the tobacco filled tube.
 17. Acigarette machine as defined by claim 1 in which the cutting off meanscomprises a member having a cutting edge mounted for movement across thepath of the tube.
 18. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 in whichthe cutting edge is diagonally disposed relative to the axis of the tubeand is mounted for reciprocation across the path of the tube.
 19. Acigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means having aninlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to itsinterior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in saidpipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inletopening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipe beingcharacterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding andoverlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providingan annular space between the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding alongitudinal strip of cigarette paper into said annular space so as tocause the paper strip to curl transversely and assume the shape of atube with overlapping longitudinal marginal areas, means for sealingsaid overlapping areas entering said space, whereby as shredded tobaccois pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confinedwithin the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube tomove a corresponding distance through the second pipe, gauge means formeasuring the length of a cigarette to be cut from the tobacco filledtube, said gauge means including a member slidable longitudinally on thesecond pipe, a wire or rod secured to the slidable member, said wire orrod extending outwardly beyond the outer end of the second pipe, andmeans for cutting off the length of the resulting tobacco filled tubepassing from the second pipe.
 20. A cigarette machine as defined byclaim 19 in which a portion of the wire or rod is radially offsetadjacent the outer end of the second pipe.
 21. A cigarette machine asdefined by claim 19 and index markings on the second pipe adjacent theslidable member to gauge the length of the rod or wire extending beyondthe end of the second pipe.